UKIP gain Tendring District Council seat

UKIP won an important by-election on Tendring District Council on Thursday to bring the local UKIP group within one seat of the ruling Conservatives.

Cllr Mike Bush took the previously independent-held seat of Great & Little Oakley and brings the tally to 22 UKIP councillors. The Conservatives are clinging to a precarious grasp on power with 23 councillors.

Candidate	Party	Votes	%	+/-
Mike Bush	UKIP	216	36.8%	+14.1%
Andy Erskine	Conservative	171	29.1%	+1.5%
Robert Shephard	Labour	117	19.9%	+5.5%
Matthew Bensilum	Lib Dem	83	14.1%	+14.1%